Controlled-flexing trailer hitch system and method

ABSTRACT

A controlled-flexing trailer hitch system and method to facilitate vehicle-to-trailer attachment and maneuvering by providing a flexible state during attachment, detachment, and low-speed maneuvering of a trailer, and automatic change to a fixed in-line state upon the in-line pulling of the trailer, by providing disengageable spring-return stiffening members and a flexible segmented towing member, where the spring-return stiffening members can be disengaged to allow flexible movement of the flexible towing member, and where, upon commencement of the in-line pulling of the trailer, the spring-return stiffening members engage to place the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into a fixed in-line state.

BACKGROUND

This invention provides a controlled-flexing trailer hitch system andmethod.

Vehicles can be equipped to tow trailers. A “trailer hitch” component,usually a ball, is rigidly mounted to the vehicle, ultimately to thevehicle's frame. Another “trailer hitch” component, usually a cup orreceiver, is rigidly mounted to the trailer's frame. The coupling orattachment of the vehicle and the trailer is rigid, as is necessary atoperating speed and conditions. A flexible connection would allow thetrailer to run into the vehicle when slowing down or stopping and wouldpresent other problems. However, the rigidity of the vehicle-trailercoupling presents problems during the coupling and uncoupling process,and during low-speed maneuvering associated with coupling anduncoupling.

If flexible coupling hardware is used during coupling and low-speedmaneuvering, then it must be made rigid before operating at speed. It isundesirable to have to stop and exit the vehicle in order to performsuch an operation. The consequences of forgetting to do such anoperation would be unpleasant with the trailer running into the vehicleor otherwise going out of control.

The prior art does not provide for a controlled-flexing trailer hitchsystem and method of the present invention for providing controlledflexibility of the vehicle-to-trailer coupling during coupling,uncoupling, and low-speed maneuvering, with automatic changeover to arigid coupling at the earliest appropriate time and without any actionrequired from the operator of the vehicle.

For example, U.S. Publication No. 2012/0200065 was published by JohnCharles Cruz on Aug. 9, 2012, disclosing an “Electric Controlled TrailerHitch and Link Assembly Alignment Device.” The electric controlledtrailer hitch was designed to be a new approach to connecting to a boat,trailer, and so forth with only using one person. The hitch-and-linkassembly enables one person to back up a vehicle to a boat, trailer, orsimilar vehicle, and with a switch, activate the moveable chain. Thechain can sway from right to left, and the electric motor works thechain backwards and forwards in order to align with the tongue of theboat or trailer. Accordingly, the traditional method of needing anotherperson to navigate, or one person having to keep backing up or movingfrom right to left in order to align the apparatus, is no longernecessary.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,991,865, issued to Thomas E. Francisco on Feb. 12, 1991,covers an “Automatic Self-Aligning Trailer Hitch.” The patent disclosesan automatic trailer hitch for use with a draft vehicle. The hitchcontains devices for attaching its two ends to a trailer and to avehicle for towing the trailer. When the hitch is being connected to thevehicles, it may be extended in length; the presence of at least twotelescoping members in the hitch allows such extension. Once the hitchhas been connected to the vehicles, the towing vehicle may be backedtowards the draft vehicle, thereby contracting the length of the hitch.A locking mechanism, comprised of a spring-loaded pawl, locks the hitchinto its contracted position once it has reached a certain specifiedminimum length. Any means for retracting the hitch and automaticallylocking the hitch once it reaches its retracted position may be used. Inone embodiment, the latching mechanism may be comprised of a latchingpawl, which pivots about a pin that is inserted in a latching pawlmount. Spring biases the rotation of the latching pawl in a directioncausing it to move through the clearance hole in the outer member,clearance hole in the intermediate member, and into a latching pawlreceiving slot in the inner member when the hitch is in the appropriateretracted position. The mechanism can in turn be unlatched by applyingpressure to the latching pawl in such a manner that the appropriate pawlposition is attained. At that point, the telescoping members may bepulled to any extended length desired from the hitch.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,237 was issued on Jun. 24, 1975 to inventor BillAllen for a “Trailer Hitch.” In this hitch, an elongated member, adaptedto be connected with a towed vehicle, is provided, with an axial socketcoaxial with a bell-shaped flange for guiding a shank. The device isconnected at one end by a ball joint to a traction vehicle, into thesocket whereby a spring urged pawl engages a keeper notch formed in theshank for automatically coupling the traction vehicle to the towedvehicle.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,125,272, as issued on Nov. 14, 1978 for a “Self-AligningTowing Hitch,” was developed by inventors Cecil J. Putnam, Jr. and JamesE. Malone. The patent, which was assigned to Putnam Pattern &Engineering Co., covers a hitch for vehicle trailers for facilitatinginterconnection of the tow and towed vehicles, suitable for use withrecreational vehicle trailers. The hitch includes an extensible anduniversally pivotable support for one of the hitch components,permitting an easily achieved interconnection between the vehicles,whereby the tow vehicle can pull the trailer to a near alignment, andthe hitch members to a towable condition. The system also permits forthe hitch component to be moved either horizontally or vertically forprehatching purposes, and automatic alignment of the tow and towedvehicles occurs during positioning of the hitch to its towing condition.In practice of the invention, the self-aligning hitch structure, whichmay be mounted upon either the tow or towed vehicle, includes a guidetube of rectangular transverse cross section rigidly mounted to itsassociated vehicle. A slide is slidably mounted within the guide tubehaving a transverse rectangular configuration corresponding to that ofthe tube and is movable within the tube between retracted and extendedpositions. An arm pivotally mounted to the slide by means of a universaljoint supports one of the vehicle hitch components and, when the slideand arm are in the extended position, the universal joint permits thearm and hitch component to be universally adjusted relative to the tubeto accommodate the vertical position of the other vehicle hitchcomponent, and the ability of the arm to be positioned within the tubepermits adjustment of the distance existing between the hitch componentswhen the tow vehicle is initially positioned.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,556,279, as issued to Todd A. Suhling on Jul. 7, 2009,discloses a “Pivotal Trailer Hitch.” The trailer hitch has a pivotalball mount with upper and lower wedge-shaped parallel plates that areconnected by a pivot pin to the opening of a socket. A lock lever ispivotally mounted in the mounting element and is spring biased towardlocking engagement with the recesses of the pivotal ball element. Bytilting the lock lever away from the pivotal ball mount, the pivotalball mount is free to rotate so that its hitch ball can move in an arclaterally for alignment with the ball receptacle of the trailer tongue.Forward movement of the towing vehicle and trailer causes the pivotalball mount to become aligned with the lock lever, and the spring urgesthe lock lever back into locking engagement with the recesses. Thepivotal ball mount can be inverted so as to raise or lower the height ofthe hitch ball.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,277,447 was issued to James Blaser on Jan. 11, 1994,covering a “Trailer Hitch with Alignment Adapter.” Here, in the trailerhitch, connecting a towing vehicle and a trailing vehicle, each“coupling” member of each vehicle has a support component and anattachment component. An adapter is interposed between and attached tothe support component and the attachment component of one member. Theadapter has a guide plug telescoped with the support component, and anadjustment portion coupled to the attachment component and hinged to theguide plug for lateral movement. A pair of angled faces on the adapterserve to cam the components into axial alignment as the towing vehicleand the trailing vehicle are brought closer together. The adapter iscapable of both axial and lateral, swinging movement for easy vehicleattachment.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,176, as issued on Apr. 30, 1991 to assigneeFlexi-Hitch, Inc., covers an “Adjustable Trailer Coupling.” The couplingdevice, created by inventor Horace Eppinette, is used for connecting atowed vehicle to a towing vehicle in which the towed vehicle has atowing bar. In the system, there is a telescopic arm received within thetowing bar with an end of the telescopic arm pivotally connected to anarticulating arm. The other end of the articulating arm has mounted toit a trailer hitch adapted for connected to a trailer hitch ball. Thereis an anti-pivot collar that encircles the point where the telescopicarm and the articulating arm are pivotally connected. By selectivelyextending the telescopic arm and moving the anti-pivot collar to permitarticulation between the pivotal and telescopic arms, the couplingdevice can simplify connection between a towed and towing vehicle. Thereis further provided locking means for securely locking the couplingdevice in its locked position.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,042,254 was issued to Gordon L. Allen on Aug. 16, 1977for an “Automobile Hitch Coupler Aid.” In the system, an automobilehitch coupler aid is provided for hitching together two vehicles,wherein the complementary coupling members are not easily brought intoexact registration. The device comprises a female hollow pyramidalmember having structure for mounting this member on one of the vehicleswith a male pyramidal member having an outer surface substantiallycomplementary to the inner surface of the female pyramidal member,adapted to move between a closely nested position in the female memberand a separated position that permits movement of the male pyramidalmember relative to the female pyramidal member in any direction. Tomanipulate the two pyramidal members, a flexible member such as a chainor cable has one end fixed to the narrower end of the male pyramidalmember, and which then passes outwardly through the narrower end of thefemale pyramidal member, and a device preferably carried on the outerwall of the female pyramidal member is connected with the other end ofthe flexible member for winding up and paying out the flexible member inoperation of the device.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,989,270, as issued on Nov. 2, 1976 to inventor CharlesR. Henderson, covers a “Hitch Construction.” Here, the system includesan extensible and retractable, split hitch construction that offersarticulative versatility in aligning the hitch with the ball or otherhitch connection of a towing vehicle. Accordingly, rather than requiringan exact alignment of the trailer tongue with the tractor ball, forexample, the tractor is merely brought in proximity with the hitchconnection. Thereafter, the tongue of the hitch is extended and pivotedas necessary to come into proper vertical alignment with the ball orother tractor connection. Means are provided in the hitch constructionfor the gradual application of brakes to the towed trailer where thesame presses toward the tractor. Specifically, this patent covers anextensible and retractable, split hitch construction including, incombination, a drawbar constructed for mounting to a trailer; a movabletongue slideably secured to said drawbar for elongate extension andretraction, where the tongue has an elongate hollow interior and anouter extremity provided with a tractor connection; vertical pivot meansintercoupling the tongue to the drawbar for enabling the horizontalpivotal displacement of the tongue relative to the drawbar, on oppositesthereof, when the tongue is in an extended position; a first means forconstraining the tongue to axial alignment with the drawbar when thetongue is in a retracted position relative to the drawbar; a secondmeans for releasably securing the tongue to the drawbar in a retractedposition; and a third means intercoupling the tongue to the drawbar forselectively mechanically pulling the tongue toward a retracted positionrelative to the drawbar, where the third means features a flexibleelongate connector, constrained within the hollow interior of the tongueand extending rearwardly thereof, and anchored to the drawbar, as wellas a winch carried by the movable tongue and operatively engaging theflexible elongate connector.

Lastly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,428,030 issued on Aug. 6, 2002 to inventorsSteven David Melesko and Charles Allen Winslow, covering a“Self-Centering Trailer Hitch.” The self-centering trailer hitchfeatures first and second telescopic arms, each of which have a firstand second opposite ends. The first ends of the telescopic arms arepivotally mounted to a hitch hood coupler for coupling the first ends ofthe telescopic arms releasably to the hood of a trailer hitch. Thesecond ends of the telescopic arms are adapted to be pivotally mountedto a rear end of a towing vehicle, mountable to the vehicle forwardrelative to a hitch ball mounted to the vehicle. The second ends of thetelescopic arms, when mounted to the rear end of the vehicle, aredisposed on laterally opposite sides of the hitch ball.

What is needed is a system and method for providing controlledflexibility of the vehicle-to-trailer coupling during coupling,uncoupling, and low-speed maneuvering, with automatic changeover to arigid coupling at the earliest appropriate time and without any actionrequired from the operator of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides a controlled-flexing trailer hitch system andmethod to facilitate vehicle-to-trailer attachment and maneuvering. Thiscontrolled-flexing trailer hitch system and method provides a flexiblestate during attachment, detachment, and low-speed maneuvering of atrailer, and automatic change to a fixed in-line state upon the in-linepulling of the trailer, by providing disengageable spring-returnstiffening members and a flexible segmented towing member, where thespring-return stiffening members can be disengaged to allow flexiblemovement of the flexible towing member, and where, upon commencement ofthe in-line pulling of the trailer, the spring-return stiffening membersengage to place the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into a fixedin-line state.

Four embodiments of the controlled-flexing trailer hitch areillustrated: a rod embodiment, a flap-segment embodiment, a sliding tubeembodiment, and an easy-connect embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein like parts aredesignated by like numerals, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rod embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a flexible state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a rod embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a fixed state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a flap-segment embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a flexible state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flap-segment embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a fixed state;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a sliding tube embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a flexible state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sliding tube embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a fixed state;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an easy-connect embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a flexible state;and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an easy-connect embodiment of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention in a fixed state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The controlled-flexing trailer hitch system and method of the inventionprovides improved to facilitation of vehicle-to-trailer coupling anduncoupling, and low-speed maneuvering of a trailer by changing to aflexible state during attachment, detachment, and low-speed maneuveringof a trailer, and changing to a fixed in-line state upon the in-linepulling of the trailer, automatically and without the need for anyaction by the vehicle operator. The controlled-flexing trailer hitchprovides one or more disengageable spring-return stiffening members anda flexible segmented towing member. The spring-return stiffening memberscan be disengaged to allow flexible movement of the flexible towingmember during coupling and uncoupling, and during the low-speedmaneuvering associated with coupling or uncoupling the trailer. Aftercoupling, when the vehicle begins to exert an in-line, direct pullagainst the trailer, the spring-return stiffening members engage again,and lock into place as a stiff, in-line towing link.

Four embodiments of the controlled-flexing trailer hitch areillustrated. The embodiments are a rod embodiment, a flap-segmentembodiment, a sliding tube embodiment, and an easy-connect embodiment.Each embodiment provides different specific structures to perform as thedisengageable spring-return stiffening member or members and as theflexible segmented towing member or members.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a rod embodiment 10 of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention is shown in a flexiblestate and in a fixed in-line state, respectively. The controlled-flexingtrailer hitch has a vehicle-end assembly 1 which incorporates a cupreceiver meant to attach to the trailer-hitch ball of the towingvehicle, and has a trailer-end assembly 2 which incorporates a ballmeant to attach to the trailer-hitch cup receiver of the trailer. All ofthe embodiments have this arrangement, which provides for use of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch in conjunction with standardtrailer-hitch equipment.

The rod embodiment provides a chain 12 as the flexible segmented towingmember. The chain 12 is mounted at its forward end upon the vehicle-endassembly 1. Two pivot rods 13 are provided, one on either side of thechain. Each pivot rod 13 pivots about a pivot base 11 incorporated intothe vehicle-end assembly 1. The pivot is constrained as shown, between aposition substantially parallel each to the other, and a divergingangle. The pivot rods 13 are connected by a spring 15 which acts toreturn the rods to a parallel position. The chain 12 is mounted at itsrearward end to the trailer-end assembly 2, which incorporates arod-capture structure 14. The rod-capture structure has lobes, as shown,with a cup or notch on the inside of each lobe. As shown, therelationship of the structures is such that when a pivot rod 13 ispivoted outward, it will allow the trailer-end assembly 2 to move intopositions where the axis of the trailer-end assembly 2 is at an acuteangle with the axis of the vehicle-end assembly 1, with the flexiblesegmented towing member chain 12 accommodating the bend. When bent likethis, even though the spring 15 is exerting a pull on the pivot rod 13,the free end of the pivot rod 13 will be blocked from returning toparallel by the exterior portion of the rod-capture structure 14, andthe angular or bent orientation can continue.

After the trailer has been coupled and the initial low-speed maneuveringis finished, the vehicle will begin pulling the trailer such that theforce is in-line and the axes of the vehicle-end assembly 1 and thetrailer-end assembly 2 are either co-axial or parallel. In such anin-line orientation, the movement of the pivot rods 13 are not blockedby the lobes of the rod-capture structure 14, and the pivot rods 13return to a parallel orientation by the force of the spring 15. Afterthe pivot rods 13 return to a parallel orientation, any tendency of theoverall structure to bend or flex is countered by the capture of thepivots rods within the rod-capture structure, putting thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch into a stiff, non-flexible state neededfor safe towing of the trailer.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, a flap-segment embodiment 20 of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention is shown in a flexiblestate and in a fixed in-line state, respectively. This embodiment alsohas a vehicle-end assembly 1 and a trailer-end assembly 2 which allowattachment to standard trailer-hitch equipment.

The flap-segment embodiment provides pivotally linked segments as theflexible segmented towing member. A first end segment 21 is mounted tothe vehicle-end assembly 1, one or more middle segments 22 are mountedbehind, and a second end segment 23 is mounted to the trailer-endassembly 2. The first end segment 21 and the middle segments 22 havespring-return flaps 24 pivotally mounted on them as shown, one on eachside, and pivoting between positions flush or parallel with the sides,and positions at an angle to the sides. The spring force urges thespring-return flap into a flush or parallel position. The middlesegments 22 and the second end segment 23 have bumpers 25 incorporatedinto the segment sides, as shown. The relationship of the structures issuch that when a spring-return flap 24 is pivoted outward, it will allowthe trailer-end assembly 2 to move into positions where the axis of thetrailer-end assembly 2 is at an acute angle with the axis of thevehicle-end assembly 1, with the flexible segmented towing member endand middle segments 21, 22, 23 accommodating the bend. When bent likethis, even though the spring-return flap 24 is being pulled back intoposition, the adjacent bumper 25 will block the flap from returning toparallel, and the angular or bent orientation can continue.

After the trailer has been coupled and the initial low-speed maneuveringis finished, the vehicle will begin pulling the trailer such that theforce is in-line and the axes of the vehicle-end assembly 1 and thetrailer-end assembly 2 are either co-axial or parallel. In such anin-line orientation, the movement of the spring-return flaps 24 are notblocked by the bumpers 25, and the flaps return to a parallelorientation. After the spring-return flaps 24 return to a parallelorientation, any tendency of the overall structure to bend or flex iscountered by the free end of the spring-return flaps 24 being blocked bythe bumpers 25, putting the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into astiff, non-flexible state needed for safe towing of the trailer.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a sliding tube embodiment 30 of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention is shown in a flexiblestate and in a fixed in-line state, respectively. This embodiment alsohas a vehicle-end assembly 1 and a trailer-end assembly 2 which allowattachment to standard trailer-hitch equipment.

The sliding tube embodiment provides a chain 32 as the flexiblesegmented towing member. The chain 32 is mounted at its forward end uponthe vehicle-end assembly 1, and at its rearward end upon the trailer-endassembly 2. Two segments of inner tube 31 are provided, one mounted tothe vehicle-end assembly 1, and the other mounted to the trailer-endassembly 2. The inner tubes 31 surround the chain 32. The chain 32 islonger than the length of the two inner tubes 31 put together, such thatwhen the chain 32 is fully extended, there is a gap between the freeends of the segments of inner tube 31, as shown. Each segment of innertube 31 has a sliding-tube segment mounted around it. The sliding-tubesegments are sized in relation to each other such that a smallersliding-tube segment 33 can be slid into and accommodated by a portionof the larger sliding-tube segment 34. Preferably, the end of the largersliding-tube segment can be flared or expanded so that the smallersliding-tube segment 33 can more easily slide into it. Two springs 35are provided, outside each inner tube 31 at the end mounted to eitherthe vehicle-end assembly 1 or the trailer-end assembly 2. One spring 35pushes the smaller sliding-tube segment 33 and the other spring 35pushes the larger sliding-tube segment 34. The springs' forces push thesliding-tube segments 33, 34 together, and therefore into a positionwhere the smaller sliding-tube segment 33 slides into the largersliding-tube segment 34.

As shown, the relationship of the structures is such that when thesmaller sliding-tube segment 33 and the larger sliding-tube segment 34are pushed away from each other, it will allow the trailer-end assembly2 to move into positions where the axis of the trailer-end assembly 2 isat an acute angle with the axis of the vehicle-end assembly 1, with theflexible segmented towing member chain 32 accommodating the bend in thearea of the gap between the two inner tube 31 segments. When bent likethis, even though the springs 35 are exerting force on the smaller andlarger sliding tube segments, the angle between the sliding tubesegments prevent the sliding of one into the other, and the angular orbent orientation can continue.

After the trailer has been coupled and the initial low-speed maneuveringis finished, the vehicle will begin pulling the trailer such that theforce is in-line and the axes of the vehicle-end assembly 1 and thetrailer-end assembly 2 are either co-axial or parallel. In such anin-line orientation, the smaller sliding-tube segment 33 will slip intothe larger sliding tube segment 34, under the force of the springs 35,and any tendency of the overall structure to bend or flex is counteredby the telescoped tubes, putting the controlled-flexing trailer hitchinto a stiff, non-flexible state needed for safe towing of the trailer.

Referring to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, an easy-connect embodiment 40 of thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of the invention is shown in a flexiblestate and in a fixed in-line state. In addition to the controlledflexibility provided by all of the embodiments of this invention, thiseasy-connect embodiment 40 provides an easier coupling of the vehicle tothe trailer, by substituting or supplementing the standard trailer-hitchequipment with a system which guides the connector from the trailer intothe connector from the vehicle.

The easy-connect embodiment provides a pivotally connected first member41 and second member 42 as the flexible segmented towing member. On thefirst member 41, near the pivot connection between the first member 41and the second member 42, are provided pivot members 43, connected by aspring 45, which function similarly to the pivot rods 13 and spring 15of the rod embodiment treated above. On the second member 42, also nearthe pivot connection between the first member 41 and the second member42, are provided bumper members 44, which function similarly to thebumpers 25 of the flap-segment embodiment treated above.

As shown, the relationship of the structures is such that when a pivotmember 43 is pivoted outward, it will allow the second member 42,attached to the trailer, to move into positions where the axis of thesecond member 42 is at an acute angle with the axis of the first member41. When bent like this, even though the spring 145 is exerting a pullon the pivot member 43, the free end of the pivot member 43 will beblocked from returning to parallel by the exterior portion of the bumpermember 44, and the angular or bent orientation can continue.

After the trailer has been coupled and the initial low-speed maneuveringis finished, the vehicle will begin pulling the trailer such that theforce is in-line and the axes of the first member 41 and second member42 are either co-axial or parallel. In such an in-line orientation, themovement of the pivot members 43 are not blocked by the bumper members44, and the pivot members 43 return to a parallel orientation by theforce of the spring 45. After the pivot members 43 return to a parallelorientation, any tendency of the overall structure to bend or flex iscountered by the capture of the pivot members 43 within the bumpermembers 44, putting the controlled-flexing trailer hitch into a stiff,non-flexible state needed for safe towing of the trailer.

The easy-capture aspect of this embodiment is achieved by providing asocket member 46 ultimately mounted to the vehicle, and a plug member 47ultimately mounted to the trailer. The plug member 47 is provided with atapered and barbed shape which facilitates entry into the socket member46 but resists retraction. The socket member 46 is provided withlimited-pivot stops 48 that pivot aside to allow entry of the plugmember 47 into the socket member 46, but which lock and serve to capturethe plug member 47 against exit from the socket member 46.

In use, the vehicle can be backed up against the trailer in a somewhatimprecise manner, and the plug member 47 will be guided into secureconnection with the socket member 46, forming a secure coupling of thevehicle to the trailer.

Many other changes and modifications can be made in the system andmethod of the present invention without departing from the spiritthereof. I therefore pray that my rights to the present invention belimited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A controlled-flexing trailer hitch system to facilitatevehicle-to-trailer attachment and maneuvering, the controlled-flexingtrailer hitch comprising: (i) a vehicle-end assembly adapted to coupleand uncouple with the standard trailer-towing equipment on the vehicle,having an in-line towing axis; (ii) a trailer-end assembly adapted tocouple and uncouple with the standard trailer-towing equipment on thetrailer, having an in-line towing axis; (iii) at least one flexiblesegmented towing member connecting said vehicle-end assembly and saidtrailer-end assembly; and (iv) at least one spring-return stiffeningmember arrayed substantially along said flexible segmented towingmember, adapted to allow flexing of said flexible segmented towingmember when in a flexing position, and to prevent flexing of saidflexible segmented towing member when in a fixed in-line position;where, in use, said spring-return stiffening member is placed into aflexing position, with the towing axes of said vehicle-end assembly andsaid trailer-end assembly at an angle one to the other, to allow flexingof said flexible segmented towing member during attachment andmaneuvering; and where, in use, upon the occurrence of an in-line pullfrom the vehicle to the trailer, with the towing axes of saidvehicle-end assembly and said trailer-end assembly co-axial or parallel,said spring-return stiffening member is placed into a fixed in-lineposition, thereby stiffening and fixing said controlled-flexing trailerhitch into an in-line orientation, without any required action by thevehicle operator.
 2. The controlled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1, ina rod embodiment, where said flexible segmented towing member furthercomprises a chain.
 3. The controlled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1,in a rod embodiment, where said spring-return stiffening member furthercomprises two pivot rods pulled into parallel orientation by a spring.4. The controlled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1, in a rod embodiment,where said vehicle-end assembly further comprises a pivot base.
 5. Thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1, in a rod embodiment, wheresaid trailer-end assembly further comprises a rod-capture structure. 6.The controlled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1, in a flap-segmentembodiment, where said flexible segmented towing member furthercomprises pivotally linked segments.
 7. The controlled-flexing trailerhitch of claim 1, in a flap-segment embodiment, where said spring-returnstiffening member further comprises spring-return flaps and bumpers. 8.The controlled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1, in a flap-segmentembodiment, further comprising a first end segment, a second endsegment, and at least one middle segment.
 9. The controlled-flexingtrailer hitch of claim 1, in a sliding tube embodiment, where saidflexible segmented towing member further comprises a chain.
 10. Thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch of claim 1, in a sliding tubeembodiment, where said spring-return stiffening member further comprisestwo segments of inner tube, a smaller sliding-tube segment, a largersliding-tube segment, and two springs.
 11. A controlled-flexing trailerhitch method to facilitate vehicle-to-trailer attachment andmaneuvering, comprising: (i) providing a controlled-flexing trailerhitch system, comprising: (a) a vehicle-end assembly adapted to coupleand uncouple with the standard trailer-towing equipment on the vehicle,having an in-line towing axis; (b) a trailer-end assembly adapted tocouple and uncouple with the standard trailer-towing equipment on thetrailer, having an in-line towing axis; (c) at least one flexiblesegmented towing member connecting said vehicle-end assembly and saidtrailer-end assembly; and (d) at least one spring-return stiffeningmember arrayed substantially along said flexible segmented towingmember, adapted to allow flexing of said flexible segmented towingmember when in a flexing position, and to prevent flexing of saidflexible segmented towing member when in a fixed in-line position; and(ii) using said controlled-flexing trailer hitch system where, in use,said spring-return stiffening member is placed into a flexing position,with the towing axes of said vehicle-end assembly and said trailer-endassembly at an angle one to the other, to allow flexing of said flexiblesegmented towing member during attachment and maneuvering; and where, inuse, upon the occurrence of an in-line pull from the vehicle to thetrailer, with the towing axes of said vehicle-end assembly and saidtrailer-end assembly co-axial or parallel, said spring-return stiffeningmember is placed into a fixed in-line position, thereby stiffening andfixing said controlled-flexing trailer hitch into an in-lineorientation, without any required action by the vehicle operator. 12.The controlled-flexing trailer hitch method of claim 11, where saidcontrolled-flexing trailer hitch is in a rod embodiment, and where saidflexible segmented towing member further comprises a chain.
 13. Thecontrolled-flexing trailer hitch method of claim 11, where saidcontrolled-flexing trailer hitch is in a rod embodiment, and where saidspring-return stiffening member further comprises two pivot rods pulledinto parallel orientation by a spring.
 14. The controlled-flexingtrailer hitch method of claim 11, where said controlled-flexing trailerhitch is in a rod embodiment, and where said vehicle-end assemblyfurther comprises a pivot base.
 15. The controlled-flexing trailer hitchmethod of claim 11, where said controlled-flexing trailer hitch is in arod embodiment, and where said trailer-end assembly further comprises arod-capture structure.
 16. The controlled-flexing trailer hitch methodof claim 11, where said controlled-flexing trailer hitch is in aflap-segment embodiment, and where said flexible segmented towing memberfurther comprises pivotally linked segments.
 17. The controlled-flexingtrailer hitch method of claim 11, where said controlled-flexing trailerhitch is in a flap-segment embodiment, and where said spring-returnstiffening member further comprises spring-return flaps and bumpers. 18.The controlled-flexing trailer hitch method of claim 11, where saidcontrolled-flexing trailer hitch is in a flap-segment embodiment, andfurther comprises a first end segment, a second end segment, and atleast one middle segment.
 19. The controlled-flexing trailer hitchmethod of claim 11, where said controlled-flexing trailer hitch is in asliding tube embodiment, and where said flexible segmented towing memberfurther comprises a chain.
 20. The controlled-flexing trailer hitchmethod of claim 11, where said controlled-flexing trailer hitch is in asliding tube embodiment, and where said spring-return stiffening memberfurther comprises two segments of inner tube, a smaller sliding-tubesegment, a larger sliding-tube segment, and two springs.
 21. Acontrolled-flexing trailer hitch system to facilitate vehicle-to-trailerattachment and maneuvering, the controlled-flexing trailer hitchcomprising: (i) a first member ultimately mounted to the vehicle; (ii) asecond member ultimately mounted to the trailer, and pivotally coupledwith said first member; (iii) two pivot members pivotally mounted uponsaid first member; (iv) a spring mounted between said pivot members; (v)two bumper members mounted upon said second member; (vi) a plug member;(vii) a socket member adapted to guide said plug member into a couplingposition; and (viii) two pivot stops adapted to allow entry of said plugmember into said socket member and to resist withdrawal of said plugmember from said socket member; where, in use, said pivot members, whenextended against the return force of said spring, allow pivoting of saidfirst member and said second member, thereby allowing flexing of saidcontrolled-flexing trailer hitch during attachment and maneuvering; andwhere, in use, upon the occurrence of an in-line pull from the vehicleto the trailer, said second member is placed into a fixed in-lineposition, thereby stiffening and fixing said controlled-flexing trailerhitch into an in-line orientation, without any required action by thevehicle operator.